John Prescott AC

Recent Speaker

April 27, 2010

The rail industry defined Australia's early development as a nation and has recently undergone a renaissance as the primary mode of transport to enable our country to take advantage of world demand for access to our mineral resources. For Australia to fulfill its growth potential, it needs a highly efficient transport and logistics industry. The QR National IPO is the most significant development in Australian transport in recent history and highlights the pivotal role that rail plays and will increasingly play in Australia’s economic development. 

Mr Prescott was Chairman of ASC (Previously Australian Submarine Corporation Pty Ltd) from 2000 to 2009. Prior to this he was an adviser to the Minister for Defence from early 1999. During 1999 and 2000 he completed three studies for the Australian Government in respect of the Navy’s Collins Class submarine project and industry support for submarines and naval surface combatants.  Earlier, Mr Prescott was an executive of The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, having been with that Company for over 40 years including a 10 year period as an Executive Director and as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer from 1991 to 1998.